NBA star forward Dorell Wright is the most recent in a rash of DUI arrests of athletes in the Miami area. Wright was pulled over while driving his 2005 Bentley and arrested in Miami Beach for driving under the influence of alcohol. Wright was stopped in the early morning hours according to the police report. Police indicated that Wright was stopped because he was driving "erratically." Officer indicated that when they approached Wright's Bentley they noticed "red and watery eyes, odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, and low and slurred speech." Wright also reportedly refused to perform field sobriety tests when requested by the officer. Wright's problems were compounded when police discovered that Wright could not provide proof of current insurance and was driving with a suspended license. Wright has a prior offense of knowingly driving on a suspended license.
Wright was booked and released after posting $2000 bail. The Miami Heat responded by saying that this type of conduct by Wright was out of character but that a suspension was still appropriate because his conduct harmed the team. The team suspended Wright for two games. Heat President Pat Riley said, "This is out of character for Dorrell; we feel he's a good person and that he will learn from his mistake." Riley said that team discipline including the suspension was appropriate because Wright's conduct was "detrimental to the team." Wright was averaging 6.3 points and 3.1 assists per game through the first 57 games of the season.
Miami DUI Attorney Musca commented on Wright refusing the request for field sobriety tests. Under Florida implied consent law, a driver may not refuse a chemical test such as breath, blood or urine without serious consequences, but the implied consent law does not apply to field sobriety tests. Unlike chemical test, where refusal to submit may have serious consequences, you are not legally required to take any field sobriety tests. Generally, officers have usually made up their minds to arrest a suspect when they give field sobriety tests so the tests are simply additional evidence which the suspect inevitably "fails." While most people do not refuse, a polite refusal may be appropriate.
Musca Law provides the highest quality criminal litigation services to the residents of Miami and the surrounding areas. Our Miami criminal defense attorneys have successfully tried, defended, and appealed hundreds of cases in both state and federal courts throughout Florida. These cases include, but are not limited to, felony cases, misdemeanor cases, DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes, sex crimes, probation violations, white collar crimes, violent crimes, and motor vehicle offenses.
